New Mexico-based Mesalands Community College will begin offering wind energy technology classes through dual-credit accreditation at Vaughn High School this semester. Administrators from Mesalands visited Vaughn High School last week to finalize the agreement and meet with school administrators, teachers and students.
‘We have a first-rate Wind Energy Technology program at Mesalands. We also have a seven-million-dollar facility and an on-campus turbine that distinguishes us from other programs," said Natalie Gillard, Mesalands' vice president of academic affairs. "We are just glad to provide this type of training to you at your school, and we hope that when you finish high school, you will come to Mesalands to finish your degree in wind energy technology."
Mesalands will be offering the following classes online at Vaughn High School:
– WET 101: Introduction to Wind Energy;
– WET 105: Electrical Theory I; and
– WET 115: Field Safety and Experience.
Following these classes, the college will be sending portable simulators to Vaughn High School to give students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience.
Susan Wilkinson-Davis, superintendent of Vaughn Schools, reached out to Mesalands about offering wind energy technology classes at the high school.Â
"Vaughn has the best source of wind in this part of the state, and we see this as the future for our students. This is a real opportunity for them to be prepared for a good career when they get out of high school," said Wilkinson-Davis.
Esequiel Lucero, 16, explains why he has decided to take these classes through Mesalands this semester.
"Because I think this will help my future a lot," Lucero said. "I'm going to continue on to get my degree, and I probably will be attending Mesalands."
